Seven Segment Displays

Digital Electronics

Seven Segment Displays

Retro LED Watch

(Circa 1970s)

This presentation will demonstrate how• A seven-segment display can be used to display the

decimal numbers 0-9 and some alpha characters.• A common anode seven-segment display works.• A common cathode seven-segment display works.• To select the resistor value for a seven-segment display.

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Segment Identification• A Seven-Segment Display (SSD) is simply a figure eight

grouping of LEDs {some include a decimal point (DP)}.• Each Segment is labeled (a) thru (g).• SSDs are available in two configurations

– Common Cathode (all LED cathodes are connected)– Common Anode (all LED anodes are connected)

a

b

c

d

e

g

dp

f

3

SSD Display PossibilitiesDecimal Digits 0-9

Simple Messages

Select Alpha Characters

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Basic LED Operations

To Turn an LED ON . . .

• The ANODE must be at a higher voltage potential (1.5v) than the CATHODE.

• The amount of current flowing through the LED will determine the brightness of the LED.

• The amount of current is controlled by a series resistor. (not shown)

To understand how a seven-segment display works, we must review how an LED works.

CATHODE (‒) (+) ANODE

← Current Flow

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LED Configuration – Anode @ 5 Volts

Switch @ 5v• Top Circuit• LED Off

Switch @ 0v• Bottom Circuit• LED On• ANODE @ 5v• CATHODE @ 0v (nearly)• The 220 resistor controls the

current.• A larger resistor . . . less current .

. . dimmer LED• A smaller resistor . . . more

current . . . brighter LED

Common AnodeConfiguration

(5v=Off / 0v=On)

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Example #1: Common Anode SSDExample

What value would be displayed in the common anode seven-segment display shown?

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Example #1: Common Anode SSDExample

What value would be displayed in the common anode seven-segment display shown?

Solution

Common Anode:• 0 volts = Segment On

• b, c, f, & g• 5 volts = Segment Off

• a, d, & e

a

b

c

d

e

gf

8

LED Configuration – Cathode @ Ground

Switch @ 5v• Top Circuit• LED On• ANODE @ 5v (nearly)• CATHODE @ 0v• The 220 resistor controls the

current.• A larger resistor . . . less

current . . . dimmer LED• A smaller resistor . . . more

current . . . brighter LED

Switch @ 0v• Bottom Circuit• LED Off

Common Cathode SSD Configuration (5v=On / 0v=Off)

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Example #2: Common Cathode SSDExample

What value would be displayed in the common cathode seven-segment display shown?

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Example #2: Common Cathode SSDExample

What value would be displayed in the common cathode seven-segment display shown?

Solution

Common Cathode:• 5 volts = Segment On

• a, b, d, e, & g• 0 volts = Segment Off

• c & f

a

b

c

d

e

gf

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Resistor Values for SSD• The resistor value determines the amount of current that

is flowing through the LED in the SSD.

• This is why they are sometimes called current limiting resistors.

• The amount of current determines how luminous (bright) the LED will be.

• If the resistor is too large, the current will be too small and the LED will not be visible.

• If the resistor is too small, the current will be too large and the LED will be damaged.

• So, how do you select the correct value? You must read the data sheet for the SSD that you are using. 12

A Review of Circuit Theory• The diagram below is a single segment of a common

anode seven-segment display.• The voltage across the LED (when on) is 1.5 volts.• Using Kirchhoff's Voltage Law, we know that the voltage

across the resistor is 3.5 volts (i.e., 5v – 1.5v = 3.5v).• Thus, using Ohm’s Law, we can calculate the value of the

resistor if we know the current that is to flow through the LED.

I

3.5vR

← I13

Selecting A Resistor Value

• Let’s arbitrarily pick a luminous intensity of 1.5 (not too bright, not too dim).

• From the graph, we need a current of 15mA.

• Using Ohm’s Law :

LTS-4801JR Common Anode Seven-Segment DisplayLuminous Intensity vs. Forward Current Graph

value) standard (closest 220R

33.23315mA

3.5v

I

3.5vR

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Example #3: Resistor ValueExample

Calculate the resistor value required to have a luminous intensity of 2.5.

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Example #3: Resistor ValueExample

Calculate the resistor value required to have a luminous intensity of 2.5.

Solution• From the graph, we need a

current of 25mA.

• Using Ohm’s Law :

value) standard (closest 150R

14025mA

3.5v

I

3.5vR

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